A Brief History of Water Therapy

The healing properties of water were recognized by even ancient civilizations, as is evidenced by the numerous public baths created by the ancient rulers for their people. The Roman, Greek, Turkish and Chinese empires believed that water could relieve muscular aches and bring restful sleep. The Hindus attributed power to water through their religion; they consider the Ganges River to be holy. In the meanwhile, Muslims all over the world use water to wash specific areas of their body before their obligatory prayer five times a day.

Water was first used for medical purposes in the early 19th century in Austria, when Vincent Priessnitz opened a spa. Soon after, Bavarian monk Father Sebastian Kniepp claimed that water could cure disease by improving the elimination of toxic waste from the body.

Father Sebastian Kniepp was a believer of water therapy when he cured himself of fatal lung condition by plunging into ice cold water everyday for many months. He got the idea from Priessnitz who believed that bacteria disliked cold more than heat. Priessnitz reasoned from his experience as a farmer that cold conditions generally inhibited animal breeding.

After he was cured, Father Kniepp began to advocate ice-cold baths and barefoot walks on the grass and in cold streams. He also was an advocate of using fresh air and herbs for treatment.

Also Read:

:: Water Therapy Effectiveness
:: History of Water Therapy

:: Water Therapy Technique
:: Healing Through Water

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